After staying close in a loss to top-ranked Oklahoma State, and blowing out seventh-ranked Oklahoma, the ISU wrestling team has reclaimed the No. 2 spot in the latest rankings.

The Cyclones head to Columbia, Mo. this weekend to face the No. 17 Missouri Tigers.

Iowa State is favored in almost every match, with the feature match between No. 5 Travis Paulson, and No. 8 Tyron Woodley at 165. Senior Nick Passolano will get another shot at knocking off a highly ranked opponent when he faces sophomore Ben Askren.

Ranked second at 174 pounds, Askren is the defending Big 12 champion. He defeated top-ranked Chris Pendleton of Oklahoma State last year in the finals of the Big 12 Tournament.

“He’s one of the top guys at my weight, and it should be a good match,” Passolano said. “I think I’ll bounce back [from a loss to Pendleton] strong. I’ve had some good workouts and good training and I think I’ll wrestle well.”

Second-ranked Kurt Backes will try to keep piling up wins. The sophomore has not lost since a 7-6 decision Dec. 5 against Iowa’s Paul Bradley.

Backes will face another sophomore, 12th-ranked Matt Pell. Backes defeated Pell last year, and said there is no reason he shouldn’t do the same this year.

“I wrestled my guy last year,” Backes said. “He’s a real tough kid. Athletic. Strong. I beat him last year and I should this year.”

With most of Missouri’s strength coming at the heavier weights, Backes said Cyclone victories at the higher weights are important for the team’s success.

Senior Trevor Smith said momentum will be the difference between a simple victory or a blowout.

“I think we’ll beat Missouri,” Smith said. “Wins at the heavier weights will set a real pace for us. The momentum could set the tone between a win and a blowout — ‘Oklahoma-style.'”